Job Details

Job Description

Job Title :  Project Manager – GEF7- FAO/WWF Zambia

Project: Climate Change Adaptation in Forest and Agricultural Mosaic Landscapes

Location Lusaka: WWF Zambia

Reports To :  Chief Conservation Officer

Contract Tenure: July 2025 to December 2026

Supervises: Staff assigned to the Project

CONTEXT
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) with funding from the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) awarded a grant to World Wide Fund for Nature Zambia Country Office (WWF Zambia) in 2022 to implement the Climate Change Adaptation in Forest and Agricultural Mosaic Landscapes Project. The Project uses a landscape approach that engages and strengthens uptake and diffusion of technologies and practices for climate structure around Community Forest Management and other community based groups such as Forest and Farm Producer Organisations (FFPOs), Farmer Field Schools, viable cooperatives within local communities, including community forestry. The Project is being implemented in six (6) districts namely Petauke, Lusangzi and Nyimba in Eastern Province and Sioma, Sesheke and Mwandi districts in the Western Province.
WWF Zambia is responsible for executing the project, in close collaboration with the Zambian Forestry Department (FD), Ministry of Agriculture and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). WWF Zambia coordinates activities with national bodies related to the different project components, as well as with the project partners.  A Project Advisory Committee (PAC) has been set up as the main body linking the project to relevant national bodies. The project also uses the existing Project Provincial Technical Committees (PPTC), one in Eastern Province and one in Western Province, as the main bodies governing the project activities undertaken in the respective provinces.

2.0. SCOPE OF WORK
WWF Zambia seeks to recruit a Project Manager who will oversee the day-to-day implementation, management, administration, and technical supervision of the project for the remaining period of project implementation from July 2025 to December 2026. The Project Manager will operate within the framework delineated by the Project Steering Committee which is the highest project policy body.

3.0. MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES
3.1. Management of Project components in accordance with FAO Program and Operations Policies and Procedures:

• Be responsible and accountable for the overall management and administration of the Projects, and the timely and quality delivery of all Projects outputs;
• Ensuring compliance with all Operational Partnership Agreement (OPA) between FAO and WWF provisions during the implementation, including on timely reporting and financial management;
• Ensure implementation of projects activities, by working closely with project team and other staff assigned to the projects;
• Supervises and manages the project staff; builds, motivates and leads the project team;
• Responsible for conducting performance appraisals according to the WWF Human resources management system;
• Prepare all project and annual work plans and ensures timely and good-quality implementation of work plans activities;
• Oversees and participate in the mobilization of personnel, goods and services and oversees contractors’ work;
• Close and effective coordination and collaboration with the Forestry Department;
• Develop and manage, in coordination with partners, an overall Project implementation strategy;
• Providing technical support and assessing the outputs of the project national consultants hired with GEF funds, as well as the products generated in the implementation of the project;
• Coordinate an exit strategy at least 6 months ahead of the project closure date; ensure closure of the project is done per the established procedures;
• Submitting the quarterly technical and financial reports to FAO and facilitate the information exchange between the WWF and FAO, if needed;
• Approving and managing requests for provision of financial resources using provided format in Operational Partners Agreement annexes;
• Ensuring timely preparation and submission of requests for funds, financial and progress reports to FAO as per Operational Partners Agreement reporting requirements;
• Organizing project workshops and meetings to monitor progress and preparing the Annual Budget and Work Plan;
• Submitting the six-monthly Project Progress Reports (PPRs) with the agreed work plan and Budget (AWP/B) to the Project Technical Committee, Project Steering Committee and FAO;
• Preparing the first draft of the Project Implementation Review (PIR);
• Supporting the organization of the mid-term and final evaluations in close coordination with the FAO Budget Holder and the FAO Independent Office of Evaluation (OED);  Head the Program Management Unit (PMU) to be based at the Forest Department, Ministry of Green Economy and Environment, and;
• Supervise, coordinate and facilitate the work of the Finance and Procurement Specialist, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, District Technical Assistants, as well national consultants hired by the project.

3.2 Monitor progress and manage risks, ensuring that changes are controlled and addressed

• Develop Monitoring and Evaluation Plan for tracking and evaluating progress against the agreed targets;
• In close collaboration with the WWF Program Quality Assurance Manager and PMU, develop, review and update the M&E systems and tools to respond to changes in the project and ensure adaptive management is implemented.
• Monitor expenditures of financial resources to ensure compliance with rules and procedures and accuracy and reliability of financial reports; ensures preparation of budget revisions as necessary;
• Ensure prudent use of financial resources and accounting to achieve accuracy and reliability of financial reports
• Maintain documentation and evidence that describes the proper and prudent use of project resources as per Operational Partners Agreement provisions, including making available supporting documentation to FAO and designated auditors when requested;
• Monitor Projects progress to ensure that it is in accordance with the timetable set out in the Project Documents and preparation of Technical Progress Reports, implementing issues, emerging risks/problems and proposals for necessary remedial actions;
• Ensure that all reports and information that are obligation according to the FAO/GEF’s procedures are prepared in a timely manner, and;
• Ensure the project profile and reports are accurately captured in the WWF global online CPM data base.
• Report to the CLT and PSC on the performance of the project according to project and GEF Results Framework indicators; and provide recommendations for adaptation of the project.
• Establish synergies and a collaboration to leverage resources with the GEF project managed by UNEP.

3.3 Secretary to the Project Technical Committee (PTC)

• Serves as the Secretary to the PTC which comprises of representatives from the Forestry Department, the Department of Agriculture, Department of Environmental Management, WWF Zambia, Local government, Traditional Affairs, government representatives from the two project provinces, FAO, and representatives from civil society/NGOs;
• Organizing meetings of the Project Steering Committee (PSC) at least twice a year in liaison with the Forestry Department and the Project Management Unit (PMU), and;
• Drafting and circulating approved agenda and minutes of the PSC to all members and stakeholders as required.

3.4 Communication, knowledge management and learning

• Provide input to management and technical reports and other documents as described in the M&E plan for the overall project;
• Implementing and managing the project’s monitoring and communications plans;
• Participate in training activities, report writing and facilitation of expert activities that are relevant to his or her area of expertise;
• Regular exchange of information/experience with other projects, cross-learning and sharing results and good practices;
• Ensure the project has the required communication package;
  Prepare communication materials for dissemination inside and outside WWF;
• Participate in training events, communities of practice, and;
• Facilitate team’s learning and knowledge sharing.

4.0. WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
Internal: Interacts regularly with staff within WWF Zambia under auspices of the Project Management Unit (PMU).

External : Interacts with Zambian government, primarily the Forest Department, FAO as well as other Ministries involved in the project implementation such as Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation as well as Ministry of Agriculture.

Interacts with other project partners including NGOs, CSOs and private sector entities.

5.0. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

At least Master level professional qualifications or Higher. Master’s degree in environment, forestry, natural resources management, agriculture, Climate studies or a closely related field. A PhD will be an added advantage or any recognizable training in Project Management are added advantages.

5.1. DESIRED EXPERIENCE, SKILLS AND COMPETENCES

• A minimum of 10 years’ relevant work experience including at least 6 years’ experience as a lead Project Manager in coordinating/managing climate change or NRM related projects, preferably in international/multilateral development context, experience with FAO/GEF or other international projects implementation will be considered as an asset relevant sectors.
• Experience in the public participation development process associated with environment and sustainable development is an asset.
• Experience in working and collaborating within governments is an asset as well as experience in GEF projects.
• Proven experience in managing teams and complex processes that included extensive communication, coordination and facilitation requirements, and;
• Experience in areas of work related to project management preferably in areas related to climate change adaptation. Experience working with climate finance institutions; or climate financing projects would be an asset
• Evidence of successful implementation of Forestry and sustainable Agriculture projects.
• Significant experience working with Community Forestry Management groups, Forest and Farm producer groups, cooperatives, farmer field schools and other community based organizations.
• Highly networked with relevant climate stakeholders and managing complex multi-stakeholder relations, and;
• Experience of working with Government structures related to Natural resources management and climate change.
• Fluency in English with outstanding verbal and written communication skills, particularly within a diverse cultural context.
• Excellent skills in developing alliances and working in partnerships with the private sector, government, local/international NGOs, and donors’/development partners.
• Experience in working closely with Ministries with the Ministry of Lands Natural and Resources, the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment, Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation or Ministry of Agriculture

5.2. EMBODIMENT OF WWF GLOBAL BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES

Identifies and aligns with the core values of the WWF organization: Courage, Integrity, Respect & Collaboration

5.3. APPLICATION METHOD

Applications, consisting of cover letter, a detailed CV outlining relevant qualifications and experience with at least three (03) referees including a current/ previous employer, copies of Academic and Professional Qualifications certified by the Zambia Qualifications Authority (ZAQA) should be submitted Via email to [email protected] with GEF 7 PROJECT MANAGER – CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION IN FOREST AND AGRICULTURAL MOSAIC LANDSCAPES PROJECT “as the Subject line. The closing date for applications is 4th June   2025 at 18:00hrs

Applications received after the closure time will not be considered and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.